(4) In any proceedings for an offence under section 16(4), it shall be a defence for the person charged to prove that his failure to comply with a direction of the senior police officer given under section 8(4) arose from circumstances beyond his control.
Obstructing free passage of any ambulance, etc.
18. Where a person at, or in relation to, an assembly or a procession conducted pursuant to a permit—
- (a) acts in a disorderly manner for the purpose of preventing the transaction of the business for which the assembly or procession assembled;
- (b) obstructs the free passage of any ambulance, fire engine or vehicle belonging to the Singapore Police Force or the Singapore Civil Defence Force or, otherwise than in the manner and to the extent authorised by the permit relating to that assembly or procession, impedes or disrupts the use by members of the public in general of any road; or
- (c) incites other persons to do so,
the person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Legal immunity for participant in lawful assembly or procession
19. If an assembly or a procession—
- (a) is the subject of a permit;
- (b) is peaceful; and
- (c) is held in accordance with the conditions imposed on the permit,
a person who takes part in the assembly or procession, does not, merely because of his taking part, incur any civil or criminal liability because of the obstruction of a public place.
